NHL team claim they have found the next Zdeno Chara!

This is not a secret, big Zdeno Chara is getting close to the end of his NHL career.

But there might be someone who will replace him in the near future. At least that's what the Tampa Bay Lightning claim and hope.

Picked in the 6th round of the 2016 draft, Oleg Osunov is a 6'8''/230lbs monster that has some serious hockey skills and people claim he already is a better skater than Chara was at that age. Born in Russia, he came over to North America and is now playing his first season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.

Here's what some people had to say about the 19 year old denfensemen.

Rick Bowness: "(Chara) is a great player, a Hall of Famer, so I'm not knocking him," Bowness said. "But (Sosunov) can move quick for his size. The rest? We'll see."

Tim Hunter: "(Sosunov) has a bit of a nasty side to him, and Chara did too. I think he'll be capable of playing in the NHL. He's skilled enough, smart enough, big enough, strong enough, mature enough. Now it's just a matter of processing the game. He's going to be a player, I know."

Mikhail Sergachev: "He's a huge guy — I look small compared to him. He's a good skater for 6-foot-8, has got a long reach, good shot. Has a quick shot. You don't expect him to shoot but he shoots. He makes smart plays and is a really good player." 

Just imagine if the Lightning could add a new Chara to their already stacked lineup!